Space-band-transfer means for typographical machines



May 29, 192s. 1,671,155

R. ll?. MEAD SPACE BAND TRANSFER MEANS FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Filed July 8, 1927 2 Sheet's-Sheet 1 i. Y lwNTOR n Mgy 29, 192s. `'1,671,155

R. R. MEAD SPACE BAND TRANSFER MEANS FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES Filed July 8, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 29, 1928.A

UNITED STATES PATENT foFFicI-z.

RICHARD R. MEAD, OF BROOKLYN, NE YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINO- TYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

' SPACE-BAND-TRANSFER MEANS FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES.

Application led July 8,

This invention relates to typographical machines7 such as linotyp'e machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 436,532, to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine inthe order in which their characters are to'appear in print and then assembled in line together with spacers or spacebands, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices and spacers thereafter elevated and returned through distributing n'iechanism to the magazines from which they started.

More particularly, it relates to the transfer means employed for restoring the spacers, after their separation from the matrices in the so-called upper transfer channel, to their magazine or place of storage. The regular linotype machines are ordinarily constructed for the handling of composed lines not exceeding 30 ems in length, but to meet the demand created by certain classes of editorialv and book work, special machines have recently been built which are capable of handling lines as high as 42 ems in length. y

In these larger machines, the upper transfer channel is about two inches longer than the corresponding part in the smaller regular machines, and the stroke of the spacer delivery pawl associated therewith is increased accordingly. Ordinarily, this spacer delivery pawl is pivoted on a fixed axis to the upper end of a cam-controlled operating lever, and as thus supported, the'pawl is caused to assume an inclined position in relation to the horizontal rails of the transfer channel during part of its active stroke. Although thoroughly practical in the standard machines, such arrangement'has been found to be unsuitable for the 42 em machines and this primarily because of the greater number of spacers which have to be handled by the` delivery pawl when the composed lines range from 30 to 42 ems in length. Thus, when such a large number of the commercial wegde-shaped spacers are drawn together at their relatively thin upper ends, they are collected in aA fan-like condition andthe first spacer of the group will stand inclined in the same general direction as that of the 1927. seriaiu.' 204,237.

delivery pawl. As a result of this condition, and also because of the swinging vtendency of the spacers, the delivery pawl frequently loses its slight purchase on the spacers and fail's'to d-eliver them into the storage magazine. l Moreover, the pawl, in dragging over the tops of the freed spacers, is likely to twist them in the transfer' channel or dislodge them completelyl from theirsnpport-` ing rails, so that at the next operation of the pawl the spacers maybe seriously damaged or many of them spilled into the machine.'`

The present invent-ion is intended to obvia-te these and other difficulties andhcontemplates certain improvements whereby the delivery pawl will maintain its purchase on the spacers irrespective of the number composed in a single line. To this end, specifcally, the pawl isy loosely connected to the upper end of its operating leverand is acted upon by a spring in such manner that it is held resiliently in a horizontal posi tion at all times during its operation. The arrangement also permits the pawl to yield bodily upwards with relation to the operating lever,l which feature is advantageous in permitting the pawl to clear the second elevator bar Vduring its idle movement. Y

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown in preferred form and by way of example, and yas applied to a linot-ype machine, but ymany changes and variations may be made therein and in its mode of application, which will still be comprised within its spirit. Generally speaking, the yinvention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: y Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a linotype machine equipped with the present improvement; V

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing certain of the movable parts in another position;

Fig. 3 is an elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the spacer delivery pawl and connected parts in operative relation to t-he upper transfer channel;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3'; andy Figtk Gis a detail perspective view of the spacer delivery pawl and operating lever aS heretofore employedin linotype machines of standard construction.

Referring to Fig. l, the matrices w and spacers y are .delivered one by one to the assembler-1&5, wherein they are composed side by side in line in theusual way. The assembler is then elevated and the composed line transferredthrough `the intermediate channel B into the first elevator C, which immediately descends to present the line in castin ,y position. After the slug has been east, t e composed line is lifted by the first elevator to the dotted-line position l and is then shifted horizontally into the4 upper transfer channel D to the dotted-line position Q, the matrices during transfer engag ing the` ribbed second elevator bar E, and thespacers being suspended by their pro jecting ears y1 on the horizontal rails D1 of the channel D` (see Fig. 4). The second elevator is now raised to transport the matrices to the distributing level7 and the spacers are left behind in the upper transfer channel tobe subsequently delivered along the supporting' rails D1 to their storage magazine Y. The foregoing parts and their mode of operation are old and well known and requireno further.. description. y

, As before stated, the present invention contemplates certain improvements in the spacer delivery devices which are particularly applicable to the special 42cm machine before referred to. These` devices usually comprise pair of vertically-disposed rocking levers F and G, the `lever F being fast to a rock shaft F1 which is operated by acam, not shown, and the lever G being pivoted at its lower end on a stud G1 mounted in the mainframe of the machine. The levers F and G are connected together so. that the movement of one causes a corresponding movement of the other, being arranged to cooperate in shifting the matrices and spacers of. a composed line in the manner required.` A turnbuckle H constitutes the connecting link, as shown inFig. l, and is arranged between an arm F2"clepeiitiing from the hub of the lever `F and a lug formed on thelever G at a` predetermined distance above its pivotaljaxis G1. At its upper end,

`the lever Fis connected by a link F3 to the welllknown transfer slide F4, mounted in suitable guideways formed in the front plate J and provided with a finger F5 adapted to engage the matrixiline as the lever F is rocked to the right. The leveryG," on the other hand,v is providedat its upper end witha pawl or hook G2 which is arranged inoperative relation to the channelD `and is intended to cooperate with, spacers suspended therein in effecting their deliveryto the magazine Y. The matrices and spacers must first be separated before `the latter. op-

eration can take place, and consequently,

two successive operations of the levers F vposition 2 to engage the matrices with the second elevator bar E. the hook i2 at `such times occupying the relatively neutral position indicated by the dotted lines inFig. l. The linger and hookthen recede in opposite directions far enough to clear the elevator and thus allow the latter to ascend with the matrices to the distributor. The second operation causes the finger and hook to be brought into closer relation, as shown in Fig.` i2, the finger this time serving to push the spacers together and to support them facewise as the hook rides over them and drops in behind their projecting ears y1. `its the levers F and G are restored to their normal position,` the hook Gf2 draws the spacers along the horizontal rails D1 and deposits them in the magazine Y (Fig. l).

According to the present invention, the hook G2. which has heretofore been pivoted iixedly to the upper end of the lever G (see Fig. 6), isloosely connectedthereto` so that itmay travel in a horizontal position upon the transfer channel and thusbe capable of maintaining its purchase on the upper ends of the spacers during its active stroke. As

best shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the hook is re* cessed or `bifurcated atits rear end to receive the lower portion of a supportingblock G3, to which it is directly connected by a cross pivot pin G4. This pin is fastened in the block Gand engages elongated slotsG formed in the npstanding side portions G D asthe spacer lever is reciprocated and thus sustain the hook in a horizontal posiV tion thereon. A compression spring-G11, arranged above the hook between a forward extension G12 of the Vblock G3 and' .a collar formed on the lower end of a rod G13, acts through the latter to hold the hook G2, un-

ldcr the required tension, resiliently down upon the upper4 edge of the channelD. The rod G17* is guidedat the top in the extension Gl and, at the bottom, seats in an anti# frictionV pocket formed in the hook` G2. rlfhe block is secured to the upper end of the lever G by a clamping screw G1t and is capable of a slight lateral adjustment'in ordery that the hook may be properly set or cen-- fifi tered, at the time ot assembling, inoperative relation to the channel D. Such adjustment is amply provided for (see Fig. by vmaking the screw hole G somewhat larger than the shank of the clamping screw. i

lt will now be seen that the spacer delivery hook G2 will always be maintained resiliently in the desired position on the channel D p purchase on the spacers arethus greatly minimized, if not entirely eliminated. Moreover, and inasmuch as the hook G2 under the present arrangement is capable of yielding bodily in relation to the top of the transfer channel D,'it will ride up and over the end of the second elevator bar plate E1 to assume a position ofrest thereupon as the first op? eration ot the transfer levers F and lG is completed, see dotted lines in Fig. l. It the hoolrwere mounted in the usual way, the pivotal axis thereof would either vcause interference with the bar plate E1. or be brought so close to it that the nose of the hook would be forced upwardly at an awkward angle and soon result in setting or breaking the compression spring. These and other advantages will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

It is obvious that the particular construction or arrangement shown and described may be variously modified without departure from the scope of the invention, it being possible to connect the spacer delivery pawl 'to its operating lever in diverse ways and still enable it to function in the required manner.

Having thus described my invention, its fonstruction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by LettersPatent oit the United States is as follows:

l. In linotype inacliineequipped with spacers, the combination withthe spacer magazine and the upper transfer channel communicating therewith, of a hook or pawl for delivering the spacers from the channel to the magazine, a pivoted operating lever connected directly to the hook, and intermediate connecting means whereby the hook is maintained resiliently in a hoi'iozntal position upon the channel during its operation.

2. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination with the spacer magazine and the upper transfer channel communicating therewith, of a hook or` pawl for delivering the spacers 'from the channel to the magazine, a reciprocating support movable in a curved path for operating the hook, and means connecting the hook direct-ly to the support whereby the former is maintained resiliently ina horizontal position upon the channel during its operation.

3. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination of the upper trans-- fer channel, a vertically disposed pivoted operating lever, a` hook or pawl arranged to' cooperate with spacers suspended in said channel, and means connecting the hook directly to the upper end of the lever whereby the hook is capable of yielding bodily and is allowed to rtravel in a horizontal position upon said channel as the lever is reciprocated.-

4. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination of the upper transfer channel, a vertically disposed .pivoted operating lever, a hoolr or pawl pivoted on .a shiftable axis directly to the upper end of said lever for bodily movement in relation thereto, and a spring for maintaining the hook resiliently upon the transfer channely as the lever is reciprocate-d.

5; In alinotype machine equipped with spacersVthe combination with the spacer magazine and ythev upper transfer channel communicating therewith, of a hook or pawl for delivering the spacers from the chan'- nel to the magazine, a vertically disposed reciprocating lever for operating the lioolf., a supporting block for the hook secured to the upper end of the lever, and a shiftable pivotal connection between the block and the hook to allow the latter to yield bodily and to travel `in a horizontal position during its operation.

6. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination of the upper transfer channel, a vertically disposed pivote'd operating lever, a support block carried ,by

the upper end of the lever, a hook orpawl pivotally connected on a, shittablev axis to the block and arranged'to cooperate with spacers suspended in said'channel, and means for adjusting the block laterally to set the pawl in operative relation to the channel.

7. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination otv the upper trans- 'ter channel, a vertically disposed pivoted opei'ating lever, a support adjustably clamped to the upper end of the lever, a hook or pawl pivotally connected on a shittable airis to the block and arranged toI cooperate with spacers suspended in said channel, and a spring interposed between the block and hook for holding the latter resiliently in horizontal position during its spacer delivery movement.

8. In a linotype machine equipped with* spacers, the combination of the upper transfer channel, a vertically dispose-d pivoted operating lever, a hook or pawl pivotally connected on a shiftable axis to the upper end of said'lever and arranged to cooperate with spacers suspended in said channel, and

means for sustainingr the hook in horizontal position upon the channel as the lever is recprocated. l i

9. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination of the upper transfer channel, a vertically disposed pivoted operating lever, a supporting block carried by the upper end of said lever, a hook or pawl pivotally connected on a shilftable axis to the block, a pairot' pins projecting laterally from the bool: near its opposite ends for sustaining itl in a horizontal position upon the channel, and a sp1-ing interposed between the block and the hook for holding the latter resiliently in such horizontal position as the lever is reciprocat-ed.

`10. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination ot' the upper transfer channel, a vertically 'disposed pivoted operating lever, a supporting block carried by the upper end of said lever, a hook or pawl connecte-d by a pin and slot to the block, means Ytor adjustingthe block laterally to set the hook in operative relation to said channel, means for sustaining the hook in a horizontal position upon the channel, and a spring for holding the hook resiliently in such horizontal position as the lever is reciprocated.

`l1. In a linotype machine equipped with spacers, the combination With the spacer magazine, the upper transfer channel communicating therewith, and the second elevator bar adapted to be lowered into the transfer channel, of a hook or pawl -tor delivering` the spacers 'from the transfer channel to the niega-zine, a` pivoted operatiiig lever connected directly to the hook, and intern'ie'diate means. whereby the hook is permitted to inount 'the second elevator bar on its inactive `stroke and `to be maintained resiliently in a horizontal position upon the transfer channel duringr its activefstrolie;

v 12. In a linotype lmachine equippedpwith spacers, the combination with the spacer magazine, the upper transfer channel communicating therewith, and the second elevator bar adapted to be llowered into the transfer channel, a vertically disposed pivoted operatinglever, and a spring actuated hook or pavvl pivoted on a shittable axis directly to the upper end o'l said lever, whereby'the hook on theinactive stroke vof the lever may mount the second elevator bar and on the active stroke of said lever may slide horizontally upon the transfer channel in delivering the spacers to the magazine.

In testimony whereof, I have yatlizced my signature hereto. l l

RIGIIARD R. hdEAD.` 

